Belizean Students in Jamaica Brace for Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica is bracing for the full force of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, with winds of 165 mph. Melissa is expected to hit the island tonight as one of the strongest hurricanes in its history.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica said in its latest update that Melissa’s centre was located about 230 kilometres southwest of Kingston and moving west at just 6 km/h. The storm is expected to turn north and begin moving over Jamaica tonight into early Tuesday.

The Met Service warned of rainfall between 15 and 30 inches, with higher amounts possible over hilly terrain. “Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely,” the agency said.

Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, said, “The time for preparation is all but over. The time now is to listen to instructions.” He also warned of possible disruption to the water system later tonight and urged residents, international students and island visitors to conserve water and store supplies.

Belizean students in Jamaica are also preparing for impact. Isareli Cal, a Belizean law student, told News 5 that getting supplies was difficult. “It took like two trips to the grocery store to prepare, because Thursday and Friday were just chaos outside. There were multiple things that we couldn’t get. I got some canned food, bread, things like that so it could hold me up after the hurricane,” she said.

She added that stores were running empty. “I know that over here, the consulate has been offering her house to the off-campus students, because they don’t have the safety net of the halls to rely on. So, in terms of that, yes, they have been getting assistance.”

Cal said other students, like her, had to manage on their own. She added that Belize’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) assured that assistance will be provided to Belizean students in Jamaica after the storm passes.

“Some of the students do need more assistance than some of us. For me, I think I’m covered in terms of that, thanks to my family.”